Maryland Entrepreneur Buys Laundromat, Already Making $24K a Month
Pexel/Adrienne Andersen
This news was first seen on blackbusiness.com
Christian Sanya is the owner of The Laundry Room, the newest Black-owned laundromat in PG County, Maryland.
She was able to buy the business after just a few years of saving up enough money from her side hustle doing on-demand laundry with a company called SudShare. Not even a year has passed, and the business is already earning up to $24,000 monthly revenue.
In 2019, Sanya, who also works as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, started looking for a side job after her then-6-year-old daughter was diagnosed with autism and she lost her full-time job, and eventually stumbled upon the on-demand laundry platform, SudShare.
Sanya found that the side hustle is indeed lucrative. She usually fulfilled about 12 hours of laundry requests per day and just last year, she made $46,000. Even though she returned to work as a medical professional in March 2020, she continued her side hustle.
Sanya and her husband decided to buy the laundromat she was eyeing for 8 years prior. It has always been Sanya’s dream since they got married but it was held off due to lack of funds. When the laundromat went back on the market in March 2022, they bought it outright for $200,000, using a using a large portion of her earnings from SudShare.
After nearly 6 months of renovating, they opened the doors to The Laundry Room. Sanya spends 2 to 3 hours in the laundromat daily, while her husband runs the business with four employees.
“You have to sacrifice a lot to know that where you’re going, the endpoint, is going to pay off,” Sanya told CNBC.
“I’ve given up family time, I’ve given up my date nights. I’ve given up a lot for SudShare at this point.”
Sanya dreams of turning The Laundry Room into a known laundry brand by opening more locations. She and her husband are currently working on their second location.
“I refuse to accept that you can’t have good service in our community,” she says. “I’m ready to change that and that’s what I’m doing, one laundromat at a time.”
‘Change Your Hair, Change Your Life,’ This Emmy Award-Winning Celebrity Hairstylist Is Teaching Financial Literacy to Beauty Professionals
Meet Kiyah Wright, a renowned celebrity hairstylist who has earned two Emmy Awards for her exceptional work in the field.
Her ingenuity has set a benchmark for image-making and revolutionized the appearance of confident, successful, and alluring women worldwide. Transforming the looks of celebrated personalities like Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, Halsey, Ciara, and many more, Wright’s hair innovations have graced popular TV shows such as Pose, Power, Black-Ish, America’s Next Top Model, and more.
As a highly sought-after trendsetter in the beauty industry, Wright has received numerous accolades, including the Hollywood Beauty Award and the Golden Scissor Award. After securing two Emmys and becoming a hairstylist to the stars, most would stick to styling the A-listers. But, Wright still sees herself as a salon hairstylist at heart and enjoys performing makeovers on the everyday woman at her Beverly Hills salon.
“The love for making women, and men, feel beautiful and look their best, especially when they are going out into their everyday lives bossing up every day,” Wright told BLACK ENTERPRISE of continuing to work at her salon.
“I really love being able to service them, be creative and just work with inspiring people every day.”
Courtesy of Kiyah Wright
Wright firmly believes that “when you change your hair, you change your life.” When not catering to celebrity clients and managing her salon, she focuses on growing her custom hair brand, Muze|Hair.
Through her haircare company, Wright provides a customized collection of hair extensions, wigs, hair maintenance products, and salon services designed by the veteran hairstylist to cater to the needs of the curly, kinky, and textured haircare market.
“Because hair is directly connected to a woman’s self-esteem, Muze|Hair was all about me being inspired by everyday women and beautiful styles that make them feel pretty, but also these women inspire me to create,” she said of her haircare line.
“I want Muze|Hair to be the people’s brand.”
Her ultimate goal is to become the go-to brand for textured hair, just like Paul Mitchell is for traditional hair types.
“Paul Mitchell was my biggest inspiration as it relates to how far you can go as a stylist, products, and branding,” she said.
Courtesy of Kiyah Wright
With her new book, From Beauty to Business, Wright shares financial keys to success with the next generation of beauty professionals.
“Financial literacy was not taught to me or even in my family or household, which later in life made me more aware of how important it was to know and understand,” she explained.
“I wrote From Beauty to Business to really help beauty professionals understand the importance of having their finances together and how to ensure that their business is in order. It’s one thing to be a celebrity hairstylist, but it’s another thing when you think about everything you’ve accomplished 25 years down the road, and you have not even considered your finances.”
Wright has built an entire business and brand around her model of being “unapologetically beautiful every day” and offered some words of wisdom to those looking to do the same.
“Caring about yourself is more work than it sounds,” she said. “I think that the secret to a woman being unapologetically beautiful every day is truly caring about yourself and showing up for yourself every day.”
Morgan State And Howard University Team Up With PNC For Black Business Hub
Morgan State University and Howard University have joined forces with the PNC Foundation to help expand Black-owned businesses.
According to CBS, a new business hub and pop-up market aims to encourage students to display their from-the-ground-up business skills.
Morgan State University’s Dr. Mary Foster underscored the resources in today’s culture that can level the playing field for potential Black business owners.
“There are many rich resources already out there, so we want to not reinvent the wheel, not duplicate things,” Foster said to CBS. “We want to create new things that are needed to help reduce those disparities for Black entrepreneurs.”
The new program also includes novice business owners. Owner of Nobel Gems Community Health Services, Cierra Jones, recently completed Morgan State and PNC’s business hub.
“It’s deeper than a Google search, it’s deeper than what you can find in a dictionary or encyclopedia, right, or even a newspaper, but it’s about having access directly handed to you or having those direct relationships with the most important people that can bring you those resources and direct you to the right opportunity,” Jones said to CBS.com.
Howard University is also partnering with PNC for the business hub. Anthony Wilburn, dean of Howard University School of Business, said the collaboration would have long-term effects on Blacks in the business space and the overall Black community.
“Entrepreneurship is the engine of this nation. Our students and alumni are entrepreneurs by nature and really embrace the concepts of what it means to start up and run a business,” said Willburn, cited by PNC.com. “Some of our students go on to become entrepreneurs themselves, while others find entrepreneurship concepts useful within corporate jobs. We’ve been trying to support their passion and interest in entrepreneurship as much as possible, and it is very much a part of what we do at Howard University.”
PNC Foundation will host its conference for Black entrepreneurship from June 14–16 in Washington, DC.
Kandi Burruss Secures Yet Another Bag With New KFC Commercial Ad
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss has parlayed her love of fried chicken into a KFC commercial ad that features her 7-year-old son Ace Tucker. The commercial capitalizes on a Season 14 episode of Bravo’s popular reality TV show where Burruss settles differences with fellow housewife Marlo Hampton over some good ole’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. While the ad pokes fun at Burruss’ weakness for deep-fried poultry, it is her son’s cuteness and counsel against pettiness that steals the show, as he entices his mom with KFC “nuggets of wisdom.”
Having stepped on the scene in the 1990s as a member of the girl group Xscape, Burruss has built her wealth as singer/songwriter. The Atlanta native is credited for penning mega-hits like Destiny Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Bug a Boo”; “No Scrubs” by TLC and “X-Girlfriend” by Mariah Carey, to name a few. Burruss added restaurateur to her portfolio, owning Blaze Steakhouse and two OLG (Old Lady Gang) locations in metro Atlanta—and she’s behind the boudoir in Bedroom Kandi, a line of sex-related niceties and services.
To put it plainly, Kandi Lenice Burruss Tucker has been about that chicken—and her bread. As the newly-released KFC promo made its rounds, social media users took the opportunity to chime in. Instagram profile The Neighborhood Talk posted a clip of the ad and captioned, “Kandi going to find a way to get a check,” and included flame and laughing emojis
Ron DeSantis Is Expected To Sign A New Bill Allowing The Death Penalty For People Who Sexually Abuse Children
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce his plans to run for president in 2024, is projected to approve a bill allowing the death penalty for anyone who commits sexual battery on children under 12.
According to several reports, legislators hope the bill will reverse a 2008 decision to forbid the death penalty for people who sexually abuse children.
Aaron Wayt of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed the bill, saying America’s justice system should not be grounded in vengeance, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Meanwhile, Lauren Book, a Democrat, who was sexually abused as an adolescent, encouraged voters to support the death penalty for sexual child abusers, according to CBS.
“There’s no statute of limitations that a victim suffers. This is a life sentence that is handed down to young children,” Book said, cited by Tallahassee Democrat.
CBS added that bill passed 34-5 and 95-14 by The Senate and The House, respectively. Gov. DeSantis is expected to sign soon.
Under the bill, juries would have to vote at least 8-4 for a judge to sentence an offender to death for sexual battery of a child. Also, a jury must find two aggravating factors from a list that will be included in the bill.
Rosalind Osgood, a member of the Florida State Senate, admitted that the new bill had been a “quandary” for her.
“I love kids, and I’ll do anything to protect them,” Osgood said, cited by CBS. “But I struggle from a faith perspective. If I believe in my faith that God can redeem and save anybody, then how do I support someone getting the death penalty? And I’m just talking about me. That’s my struggle. That’s my challenge.”
Former prosecutor Sen. Jason Pizzo said there are no rehabilitating people who sexually abuse children, adding that nothing is more “heinous” than an adult sexually touching a child, according to CBS.
Sheryl Lee Ralph To Give Commencement Speech At Rutgers University
(Image: Sheryl Lee Ralph/Diva Tickets)
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph speaks life into those close to her and the Black culture. The Emmy Award-winning thespian has been tapped to deliver the commencement speech at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences for the Spring 2023 semester.
According to Diverse Education, Ralph is a Rutgers alumna as a member of the 1972 graduating class. The report also says the Abbott Elementary actress is in the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
“As we celebrate the birthday of Paul Robeson, great actor, great artist, outstanding athlete, outstanding student, I’m so happy to represent his legacy as one of the first women, especially one of the first Black women, to graduate from Rutgers College. Legacy matters,” Ralph said, cited by Diverse Education.
Ralph plays veteran kindergarten teacher Ms. Howard on the ubiquitous television show Abbott Elementary. Back in 1982, Ralph was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway play, Dreamgirls. In 2022, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that she became the second Black woman to win an Emmy. During her acceptance speech, the 66-year-old sang the lyrics to a Dianne Reeves song: “I am an endangered species, but I sing a victim’s song, I am a woman, I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs.”
The actress also uses her voice to speak out on issues such as AIDS. As an AIDS activist, Ralph is the founding director of the Divinely Inspired Victoriously Anointed (DIVA) Foundation. She is a recipient of the Red Ribbon Award at the United Nations. She’s also the brains behind Divas Simply Singing!, which is a musical AIDS benefit show, as well as an ambassador for Jamaica’s Ministry of Health.
The commencement speech for Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences will occur on May 14.
David’s Bridal Is Filing For Bankruptcy Despite Being The Dress Choice Of One In Four Brides
The popular wedding dress retailer, David’s Bridal, has filed for bankruptcy, according to CNN.
Covid-19 resulted in a drastic hit for many nuptial-reliant businesses; however, in the past three years, weddings have made a major comeback. But for the world’s largest wedding dress retailer, David’s Bridal, it’s just not enough. Earlier this week, the company announced that they have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. “An increasing number of brides are opting for less traditional wedding attire, including thrift wedding dresses,” David’s Bridal said in their bankruptcy filing. “These shifting consumer preferences have significantly exacerbated” the company’s financial issues.
A change in how women shop for their wedding dresses has also had a major impact on companies like David’s Bridal.
“The demand for formal wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and related accessories has decreased substantially in the current environment,” the company said. Though weddings have started happening again; according to CDC data, the numbers are still not reflective of what they were pre-pandemic. The stress of wedding planning combined with changing financial times is causing many couples to search for alternative avenues to celebrate their commitment to one another.
The retailer plans to keep their 300 stores open as well as fulfill all existing orders as they search for a buyer. There is also a promise to honor all gift cards, returns and exchanges; however, if David’s Bridal is unable to find a buyer, they will be forced to close all of their locations. At the time of the news, the company employed around 10,000 full and part-time workers. Last week, they reported that they would be laying off 9,000, according to CNN.
“Our business continues to be challenged by the post-Covid environment and uncertain economic conditions, leading us to take this step to identify a buyer who can continue to operate our business going forward,” said David’s Bridal CEO James Marcum in a statement.
An annual awards show powered by Empower Media Group, the group “honors broadcasting, public relations, media, mass communication, journalism, entertainment, and education icons” who have been major influences on the industry. The weekend-long event kicks off on Apr. 22 at the Venue @ WestCobb in Austell, Georgia, and ends with a star-studded gala.
Hosted by actress Brely Evans and radio personality Willie Moore Jr. this year, the Black Media Honors started with a vision to recognize African American media who have been trailblazers in the media space and paved the way for others trailing behind.
Some of this year’s honorees have decades of experience as accomplished media professionals. Being honored this year are restaurateur Pinky Cole, sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, ALIVE Network Podcast founder Angel N. Livas, Black Enterprise’s very own Alfred Edmond, Jr., and more.
Edmond Jr., a senior vice president and executive editor-at-large, has been a driving force in the success and growth of the iconic publication. Starting his journey over 30 years ago, Edmond says he is so proud to receive this prestigious honor. “I’m happy that the Black Media Honors is recognizing the importance of Black media in all its forms,” Edmond says. “It is a great honor to be included and to be recognized for my work at BE over the years and other media platforms.”
“I really accept the award in honor of people like Black Enterprise’s late founder Earl Graves, Sr.—that’s the legacy that drives me and inspires me to continue to do work in this space.”
Rising to the occasion as a Black student leader at Rutgers University, his start at BE wasn’t what he first expected. With a passion for fashion and lifestyle, Edmond aspired to be the first Black editor at Esquire or GQ, but he found himself somewhat captivated by the culture and essence of what Black Enterprise is today. “What’s kept me there is the culture of the company, which I describe to people as ‘excellence, no excuses,'” Edmond confesses.
“We know that we have to help Black people succeed, and we can’t bring second best. You may not always be the best, but that’s no excuse for not doing your best…36 years later, I still love that.”
Conservative Radio Host Larry Elder Announces He’s Running For President in 2024
The race for the White House is on, and the conservatives can add another candidate to the growing list of candidates. Larry Elder has joined that list!
The conservative radio host announced he’s running for President of the United States. The big announcement came on Fox News’s Tucker Carlson Tonight after the two laughed at Elder, 70, being called the “Black face of White Supremacy.”
After his appearance, he made an official tweet about his candidacy.
Elder joins a long list of conservative candidates eyeing the Oval Office, including former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who reportedly launched a presidential exploratory committee, allowing him to raise money that could then be used for an official presidential campaign.
The former lawyer and the longtime host of the nationally syndicated conservative radio program, The Larry Elder Show, has never been shy about sharing his opinion on issues like critical race theory and a “woke” agenda. In 2021, in his first political bid for public office, he ran to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall effort. Associated Press reports he received the most votes out of the 46 other people in the race, but California residents voted to keep Newsom in office.
His controversial ways and ideologies have made continuous headlines over the years. In 2021, he told fellow conservative Candace Owens that he feels slave owners deserve reparations. Over 20 years ago, Elder wrote in Capitalism Magazine, “Women know less than men about political issues, economics, and current events. Good news for Democrats, bad news for Republicans. For the less one knows, the easier the manipulation.”
Black Entrepreneur Opens Co-Working Franchise in Minneapolis, Raises $1.3 Million for National Expansion
Alex West Steinman has opened her initial franchise location of The Coven in Minneapolis. It is said to be the first woman- and Black-owned co-working space in the city.
The new location along the Lake Street corridor is a partnership with the Dogwood Coffee Co. and provides a smaller concept with designated desks and private offices.
The Coven, which Steinman co-founded, describes itself as a business that offers community space to help women, transgender, and non-binary people become confident leaders. The fresh site will join locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Steinman tells BLACK ENTERPRISE that she has raised $1.3 million to expand The Coven nationally and has submitted Franchise Disclosure Documents to start that expansion in several states, including Illinois, North Carolina, and California.
She expects The Coven to sign three franchisees by late this year and another 10 in 2024. The inclusivity-focused co-working business plans to expand by identifying underdog markets and neighborhoods and investing in communities nationwide. The plan, she adds, is to grow intentionally and sustainably.
Plans for franchise expansion come after Steinman started The Coven in 2017 with her co-founders. After closing its physical space temporarily due to COVID-19, the business launched a digital platform to keep its community connected.
“As we reopened and members started coming back, we saw an increase in team and private office interest,” she says. “Today, we are at 100% capacity in private offices.”
All told, Steinman says $2.9 million has been raised since 2019 to help the business expand.
She is confident her franchise model can keep growing because more companies are leaving formal office environments and pursuing co-working spaces. She says The Coven has three assets: an ability to design inclusive spaces, a strong marketing background to build brands, and mentoring entrepreneurs.
“Those skill-sets and capabilities allow us to support franchises and ensure they can thrive as business owners,” Steinman says. “We’re really excited to be at this stage and support more entrepreneurs.”
In Minnesota, Dogwood Coffee invested $50,000 to open Lake Street as a franchise location. Steinman says that the neighborhood was heavily impacted by the 2020 uprisings following George Floyd’s murder.
“Revitalization of the Lake Street corridor is essential to the well-being of Minneapolis,” she explains of the dense business district is filled with organizations, businesses, and families of so many backgrounds.
“We must invest in the communities we want to see thrive,” she says.
She says The Coven will continue to invest in marketing and advertising for the business to drive traffic to the East Lake location and its surrounding neighborhoods. Steinman says it now has a 50-plus person waitlist to occupy space.
